Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Seventeen people were arrested this week in Santa Paula during a multi-agency sweep of alleged gang members and drug offenders on probation or parole, police said Tuesday.

A total of 40 residences throughout Santa Paula were searched during the sweep, which began at 7 a.m. Monday and lasted for more than nine hours, Santa Paula police Sgt. Joey de los Reyes said.

The 17 people arrested ranged in age from 16 to 58. All were Santa Paula residents on probation or parole. Fifteen were adults.

Most were arrested on suspicion of drug violations, including being under the influence of a controlled substance. Some were arrested on suspicion of weapons violations, de los Reyes said.

All were booked at a local detention facility, then released on their own recognizance, he said.

In addition, one person was found to be in the country illegally and was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That person is awaiting deportation.

The sweep involved more than 55 personnel from agencies including the California Highway Patrol, Ventura County District Attorney's Office and probation and parole departments, city of Santa Paula Building and Safety Department, U.S. Customs and Immigration, Department of Homeland Security, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department and Santa Paula, Guadalupe, Port Hueneme, Ventura and Santa Barbara police.